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Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity Crisis Ellen Wartella Al-Thani Professor of Communication, Professor of Psychology, Professor of Human Development and Social Policy, and Professor of Medical Social Sciences November 5 2012

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2006 IOM Report on Food Marketing and the Diets of Children and Youth: Threat or Opportunity Study Task: Review the evidence for food and beverage marketing practices that influence the diet of children and adolescents and recommend strategies to promote a healthful diet

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Evidence Review Findings TV Advertisings Effects: – Strong evidence of effects on food and beverage preferences, purchase requests and short term food and beverage consumption for 2-11 year olds – Moderate evidence of effects on food and beverage beliefs and usual dietary intake of 2-5 year olds – Insufficient evidence on causal relationship from TV advertising to adiposity especially for teens

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Broad Conclusions of 2006 IOM Report Food and beverage marketing is one of many factors influencing the diets and health prospects of children and youth. Food and beverage marketing practices targeting children and youth are out of balance with healthful diets and contribute to an environment that puts health at risk. Industry and marketers have underutilized potential to devote creativity and resources to develop and promote foods, beverages and meals that support healthful diets.

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Broad Conclusions of 2006 IOM report Achieving healthful diets will require sustained, multi-sectoral, and integrated efforts that include industry leadership and initiative. Public policy programs and incentives do not have the support or authority to address many of the current and emerging marketing practices that influence the diets of children an youth.

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Products and Promotion Food and beverage companies should use creativity, resources and marketing practices to promote and support more healthful diets and meals for children and youth. Has led to product reformulation, new product development

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Marketing Practice Standards Food, beverage, restaurant, and marketing industries should: Establish and enforce the highest standards for the marketing of foods, beverages, and meals to children and youth. – Use licensed characters only to promote foods and beverages that support healthful diets for children and youth. – Work through CARU to revise, expand, apply, enforce, and evaluate explicit industry self-regulatory guidelines beyond traditional advertising. – CARU and the Federal Trade Commission should cooperate in evaluating and enforcing the expanded self-regulatory guidelines. Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative 2006, revised guidelines in 2011

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Media and Entertainment Companies Media and entertainment industry should: Direct its extensive power to promote healthful foods and beverages for children and youth. – Incorporate foods, beverages, and storylines that promote healthful diets into multiple media platforms. – Serve as accurate interpreters and reporters on findings, claims, and practices related to the diets of children and youth. Nutritional information in some preschool programs and online; media coverage of issue trending upward

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School Environment State and local Education Authorities should: Educate about and promote healthful diets for children and youth in all aspects of the school environment. – Develop and implement nutrition standards for competitive foods and beverages sold or served in the school environment. – Adopt policies and best practices that promote the availability and marketing of foods and beverages that support healthful diets. – Public and civic leaders at all levels should provide visible leadership.

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Government/Public Sector Partnership Government and the private sector should: Create a long-term social marketing program supporting parents, caregivers, and families in promoting healthful diets for children and youth. – Direct at parents of young children (>4 years) through marketing and widespread educational and community-based efforts. – Reliable and sustained support stream, through public- appropriated funds and counterpart cooperative support. – Mechanism for proprietary marketing data to be available to inform social marketing program. No progress to date.

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Public Policy Federal and Local governments should marshal the full range of public policy levers to foster the development and promotion of healthful diets for children and youth. – Consider industry incentives. – U.S. Department of Agriculture develop and test new strategies for promoting healthier, appealing school meals. – Draft legislation for broadcast and cable television, if voluntary efforts are unsuccessful in shifting advertising emphasis to healthier products. Passage of the 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act but Industry Working Group’s Voluntary Nutritional Standards for Marketing to Children dropped from consideration in spring 2012

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Research Research capacity should be substantially better directed to review how marketing influences the food and beverage choices of children and youth. – Illuminate ways that marketing influences children’s attitudes and behaviors. – Study newer promotion techniques and venues, healthier foods and beverages and portion sizes, product availability. – Study impact of television advertising on diet and diet- related health

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Monitoring DHHS Secretary should: Designate a responsible agency to formally monitor and report regularly on the progress related to the recommendations included in this report. – Secretary should consult with other relevant cabinet officers and agency heads to develop and implement required monitoring and reporting. – Secretary should report to Congress within 2 years on progress and on any additional actions necessary. While there was a report to Congress in Fall 2008 there has been no progress in identifying a responsible agency to monitor report.

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2012 IOM Report on Accelerating Progress on Obesity Prevention Marketing Goals Reduce overconsumption of sugar sweetened beverages Increase the availability of lower calorie and healthier food and beverage options for children in restaurants Implement common nutritional standards for marketing food and beverages to children and adolescents Ensure consistent nutrition labeling for front of pack, store shelves and menus

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Since 2006 Report Many new media venues and vehicles via digital media such as push advertising on cell phones, in videogames, and other digital devices Many new marketing techniques used to reach children and youth such as peer to peer methods, immersive environments.